Leveling Up Alone

[Hahahaha!]

Seeing Han-Yeol, Lucifer laughed so loudly, making his Adam's apple clearly visible.

[Hahaha, this is amazing. I wasn’t really expecting much, but he actually made the curse of demonization his own. The more I look at him, the more I want him!]

[Lucifer, Han-Yeol is mine!] Astaroth snapped at Lucifer’s remark.

She was already unhappy about the double contract. Although she had a lot to say, the contract had already been made, and it was made with a Great Demon, so it wasn’t bad for Han-Yeol either, which was why she remained silent.

However, as time passed, Lucifer began to recognize Han-Yeol’s value more and more. Meanwhile, Astaroth grew increasingly uneasy as she wanted him all to herself.

[Hmm, I wasn’t going to admit it was first, but I’m really starting to want him.]

[Hey!]

[Hehehe, but I can’t go to war with you. That’s even more of a pain. If you were a weaker demon, I could just push you out of the way and get rid of you, hehehe.]

Despite what he said, it didn’t really seem like fighting Astaroth for Han-Yeol would cause him much trouble at all.

The two fiercely quarreled over Han-Yeol, but the subject of their fight paid no attention to them. Instead, he spread his black wings and flew up, completely indifferent to Astaroth and Lucifer.

“Hmm, this was definitely unexpected. A human with two Great Demons and turning demonization into a skill…”

On the surface, Kubera still portrayed a relaxed demeanor, but he was actually quite perplexed on the inside.

‘What kind of nonsense is this?’

Even from a god’s perspective, Han-Yeol’s transformation was truly beyond comprehension.

The concept of an all-knowing, omnipotent god didn’t actually exist. All gods essentially possessed great power, but their primary role was to govern the dimensions created by the God of Creation, each according to their own domain and responsibilities. In other words, even gods found it difficult to defy the causality set by the God of Creation, making them subject to logic and reason.

Yet, Han-Yeol’s transformation was so abnormal that even a god couldn’t comprehend it. Nonetheless, Kubera was not discouraged.

“Well, I’ll admit it. You’re indeed the human who nearly ruined all my plans, but even so, with the Dragon of Destruction resurrected, it’s an undeniable fact that your world is doomed. But I won’t stop you from making this your last fight.”

As soon as Kubera finished talking, Lucifer and Astaroth approached him.

[Hey, Kubera, do you want to fight us, or do you just want to stand there?]

[You’d better decide quickly, we’re not very patient.]

“Hoohoohoo, fighting against you will only cause a scene, so let’s just wait and watch together.”

[Khahaha! Good choice.]

At first glance, it seemed like Astaroth and Lucifer were avoiding a fight, but this was actually beneficial for both sides.

Kubera’s barrier was weak and suppressed their immense powers. So if the three of them fought, the resulting impact would be catastrophic, unpredictably affecting the beings they each believed in. Thus, for Kubera, Astaroth, and Lucifer, it wasn’t necessarily a disadvantage or advantage to merely keep each other in check without engaging in a full-scale battle.

[...]

“...”

As a result, Astaroth and Lucifer, who supported Han-Yeol, and Kubera, who supported the Dragon of Destruction, maintained a tense standoff, glaring at each other from a short distance.

[Krrrr, finally, finally!]

Rumble!

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The Dragon of Destruction, weakened after a long time, fully regained his senses and looked around at his surroundings.

[I have finally returned!]

“...”

The Dragon of Destruction roared in joy, while Han-Yeol couldn’t do anything but watch with a deep frown.

‘I can’t believe I have to fight him again.’

Han-Yeol couldn’t help but grit his teeth whenever he recalled their first fight. The thought of facing an even stronger version of the Dragon of Destruction was daunting, despite the new power he had gained through demonization. Han-Yeol couldn't be sure of victory, no matter how strong he had gotten.

Crack!

Han-Yeol cracked his fingers, preparing himself for the fight ahead.

Boom!

The Dragon of Destruction moved, and his massive body destroyed the altar beneath him with each step. Standing at over several hundred meters tall, it had been long since the ceiling of the inner fortress had been destroyed.

Tap!

Han-Yeol leaped into the air, rising to meet the dragon at eye level.

[You’re my opponent? Wait a minute…]

The Dragon of Destruction hesitated for a moment when he saw Han-Yeol, as if he had thought of something he had long forgotten. He then stared at Han-Yeol. After a while, his murderous aura gradually intensified, leaving behind the initially leisurely attitude he had.

[Khoooo! No way! You’re—!]

Krrrr!

“Oh, what?”

The Dragon of Destruction let out a roar of rage.

[Khaaaa! Harkannnnn! You were alive!]

“You noticed already? That was fast.”

Han-Yeol smirked and replied as if it wasn’t a big deal, but he was actually genuinely surprised. They hadn’t even fully unleashed their powers yet. So far, all they did was exchange looks. Han-Yeol had changed a lot since his time as Harkan. Despite that, the Dragon of Destruction recognized him instantly.

[Khahaha!]

Just a moment ago, the Dragon of Destruction was roaring angrily, but now he was suddenly laughing.

“Huh?”

‘Has he lost his mind after being sealed away for so long?’

Seeing him behave in such a way, that was the only conclusion Han-Yeol could come to.

The saying suggested that laughing after crying meant that something was amiss, but transitioning from rage to laughter was beyond strange, and it usually pointed to a serious mental issue.

[I see, so that’s how it was. Your body may have been turned into a contaminant and humiliated, but your soul was reborn in another dimension. You were indeed lucky. Merely humiliating your flesh isn’t enough of a revenge for sealing me away for so long, but now, you’ve given me the chance to take a proper revenge. Khehehe.]

“Well, I was also disappointed that I couldn’t finish you off before, and that’s why I’ve come back to end you once and for all.”

Though Han-Yeol was deeply irritated by the dragon’s resurrection, he made a remark that was only half true. Being annoyed at what had already happened didn’t change anything, and he wasn’t stupid enough to show his nervousness to his enemy.

[Khahaha, it seems like we’re on the same page. You arrogant Harkan! This time, I’ll tear your body to shreds and devour your soul, so you can never reincarnate again!]

“That’s my line!”

Whoosh!

A fierce gust of wind below between them, but apart from the wind, there was nothing but suffocating tension and silence.

Zing!

The darkness that had momentarily calmed started to envelop Han-Yeol again, ready to unleash its powerful force.

[Oh wow, you’re definitely different from before. You previously relied solely on raw strength and speed, and now you wield a variety of powers. How impressive.]

“Keke, that’s my line!”

Han-Yeol’s voice had transformed into the same one he had used against the Contaminated Harkan and Char. The difference now was that he could communicate clearly in his right mind, and his instincts hadn't taken over him.

Whoosh!

Han-Yeol launched himself forward.

Whoosh!

With a speed even faster than in his demon form, Han-Yeol swung his demon claws at the Dragon of Destruction’s forehead.

[Keke, is that all you’ve got?]

“Kek?”

Tzz, bam!

“Argh!”

Before Han-Yeol’s hand could get anywhere near him, a magic circle appeared on the dragon’s forehead, creating a shockwave that knocked Han-Yeol right back.

Normally, using magic required at least a brief incantation, but the Dragon of Destruction unleashed a silent spell that was much faster than the speed at which Han-Yeol, now in his demon form, swung his claws.

“Cough!”

Swoosh!

Although Han-Yeol was thrown back by the shockwave, he quickly regained his footing.

“Keke, this is getting exciting!”

Demonization affected not only his body, but also his mind. Despite Han-Yeol’s rationality remaining intact even after demonization, he smiled like a masochist even after taking a hit.

[Tsk, one hit and you’ve already lost your mind.]

“Keke, maybe.”

Han-Yeol smirked.

The fight had only just begun.

*

“Khaaaa!”

Zing! Whoosh! Boom!

A sphere made from the dark attribute and a shockwave from the Dragon of Destruction met in mid-air, creating a powerful explosion.

“This is quite exciting.”

[Impressive. To think you can fight at this level after all this time, while I’ve been saving up my power since I’d been sealed. You haven’t been lacking off.]

“Keke, of course! I’ve been looking forward to the day I slice you up and make lizard stew!”

[The way you talk is still as filthy as ever. I will destroy everything in the Bastro Dimension and obliterate everything the God of Creation has made. Ultimately, I will rise as the God of Destruction! Do you think I will lose to someone like you?]

Thud! Zing! Zing! Zing!

Numerous magic circles appeared around the Dragon of Destruction.

[I’d been playing with you until now, but the games end here, Harkan!]

Boom!

Not only were there magic circles, but lightning also started to strike. This was only the beginning.

Something started to emerge from the Dragon of Destruction’s countless magic circles.

“Grrrr!”

“Uhhhh!”

“Guooo!”

“Kek? W-What are those?”

Han-Yeol showed masochistic tendencies after using the demonization skill, but even he was taken aback by the contaminants flowing out from the magic circles. The contaminants were on an entirely different scale compared to the ones he had seen before.

While the contaminants he had fought until now were merely consumed by the contamination attribute and had lost their sanity, the contaminants summoned by the Dragon of Destruction felt like competent warriors. They treated the contamination attribute like armor and used it like a sword.

[Khahaha! Cry, despair, and perish! Light does not suit worthless, lowly beings like you. Slowly die in the darkness, khahaha!]

“Ha, using a summoning skill right from the start, huh? Now you’re being serious.”

As Han-Yeol had said, the Dragon of Destruction was dead serious.

During the battle with the Dragon of Destruction in his past life as Harkan, the dragon hadn’t seen Harkan as a threat at all. He merely regarded Harkan as just another foolish Bastroling who would eventually die, so he didn’t fight with his full strength from the start. Instead, he contemplated how to torment and kill Harkan slowly and painfully. However, Harkan was a genius in combat, and he grew during that short period of time. He had found a way to counter the Dragon of Destruction’s power, ultimately delivering a fatal blow that led to the dragon’s sealing.

No matter how much Harkan risked his life to use the sealing skill, if the Dragon of Destruction had been in perfect condition, he would have never been defeated, but the dragon received a fatal wound, leading to his futile sealing.

[Do you think I would make the same mistake twice, Harkan? Experiencing that once is already humiliating as is. I will give it my all from the very beginning and kill you!]